GALLERY

THE PEOPLE

ABOUT SERENDIPITY WINERY

Serendipity Winery, nestled in the heart of the Naramata Bench in the Okanagan Valley, BC, is owned by Judy Kingston and assisted by second-in-command Katie O’Kell and winemaker Bradley Cooper. The adventure began in the fall of 2005 when Kingston embarked on a holiday wine tour of the Okanagan with a view to finding a retirement property in the south Okanagan. Instead, she found an old orchard in Naramata. This was the first Serendipity “aha” moment, as she set out to convert the orchard to a vineyard with the goal of establishing a new boutique winery.

Beginning in the spring of 2006, the property was completely re-landscaped to provide the optimum slope and orientation for the new vineyard. Kingston selected the wine varietals for planting to match the micro-climate and four distinct soil types on the property. In 2007, she planted eight acres of vines, with Syrah and Merlot and Cabernet Franc as the main reds, and Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc as the whites. Subsequently she has added to the vineyard with additional plantings of Syrah and Pinot Noir and ‘a little Malbec for blending’.

The first harvest was in 2009, and was of exceptional quality. It was a tribute to the many hours of hard work and dedication that Kingston put into the vineyard, and her goal of producing quality over quantity. To add complexity and diversity to the wines, additional grapes have been purchased from local Okanagan growers who share the same commitment to quality. In the time since releasing these first wines, the winery continues to delight, surprise, and capture accolades across the country and internationally.

Come visit us: The winery and tasting room is open April 30 to October 31 from 10:00 am to 5:00pm. Off season or outside of the above times, the wine shop can be opened for purchases by appointment. Call anytime at 250-486-5290 or email Katie at wineclub [at] serendipitywinery.com.

ACCOLADES

White Lie 2011 | “Crisp and tangy, the wine begins with aromas of pear and pineapple. On the palate, there are flavours of green apples, green melon and apricot. The finish is lingering. (90 points)” – John Schreiner, John Schreiner On Wine

Sauvignon Blanc 2012 | “First and foremost is the strongest and clearest grapefruit expression I’ve come across in a long while, followed up with some melon and lime. It’s intense and miles away from the insipid style that once marked this varietal.” – Neal McLennan, Western Living

Cabernet Franc Reserve 2009 | “A surprising discovery for me. So soft and fleshy in a manner most BC reds never achieve. A solid offering and one of the best young cabernet francs we have tasted. (91 points)” – Anthony Gismondi, Gismondi On Wine